THE LAST-DAYS INVESTIGATION · INVESTIGATION 31

What Is Babylon?

Why does Revelation call God’s people out of Babylon?

Revelation uses Babylon as a symbol of a corrupt religious-political system characterized by spiritual unfaithfulness, deceptive influence, luxury, coercion, and partnership with earthly powers. Adventist interpretation sees end-time Babylon as a broader confederation of apostate religion, not simply Roman Catholicism. Revelation 18 explicitly says God still has people in Babylon and calls them out.

Reformation principle. The call out of Babylon assumes God loves people who are presently inside systems He critiques.

SCRIPTURE TO EXAMINE

Read the biblical evidence

  • Revelation 17:1–6Babylon is portrayed as a woman allied with kings and intoxicated with the blood of saints.
  • Revelation 18:1–4God calls “my people” out of Babylon.
  • Genesis 11:1–9Biblical Babylon begins with human self-exaltation, centralized ambition, and confusion.
STRONGEST OBJECTION OR ALTERNATIVE READING

Examine the challenge

Different traditions identify Babylon differently, including Rome, imperial systems, economic empire, or the totality of anti-God civilization. Revelation 17–18 combines religious, political, and economic dimensions.

YOUR VERDICT

Does Revelation’s call “Come out of her, my people” permit contempt for people in other churches?

  • Yes
  • No, God calls them “my people”
  • Only sometimes